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"It was pretty easy to buy, because I was still living at home and the fact that I was working and not at university."

He attributed being able to save, in part, to his entering the trades at a time when many of his peers were accruing student debt.

"Some of the guys on the floor, if they want to, can earn more money than management. Apprenticeships get you earning quicker so that if you do want to buy a house, it's a viable option even in Auckland."

Although the couple were renting out their spare rooms to friends, they said that even without the extra money mortgage repayments were manageable.

Steven Palmer said buying young had given them a "head start" on their peers, without too many sacrifices made.

Even with a mortgage on the house, the Palmers have still done an OE, not once but soon-to-be twice - albeit for a few months at a time as opposed to years.

Steven Palmer said once back from overseas he'd begin eyeing up a potential second house to add to his real-estate portfolio.

To those still looking to buy, he said once the hard yards were completed the stress was less.

"It seems to be quite overwhelming with all the money involved, it sort of becomes something in the background you don't worry about, once you actually do it."